Spain-based consulting, engineering, and architecture services firm IDOM has deployed its prototype wave energy converter (WEC) at the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP) as part of the system’s technological validation and to obtain key information for its future scalability.
The MARMOK A 5 floating WEC is based on oscillating water column technology, which transforms wave motion into electricity by means of a turbine, and incorporates controllable blades, on-board batteries and intelligent control systems, aimed at optimizing its operation in real conditions of operation on the high seas, BiMEP describes.
An earlier version of the device was tested at BiMEP between 2016 and 2019. This revised design, developed in the EuropeWave Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) program, focuses on improving the overall power performance of the system.
In this latest campaign, the device will be the first WEC to connect electrically to the grid through the HarshLab buoy deployed at the BiMEP test site.
“This deployment is a pivotal milestone for IDOM and the EuropeWave programme. Building on previous offshore installation and testing campaigns, it validates years of design, engineering and learning, and marks the start of an offshore commissioning phase where we expect to demonstrate improved performance from the MARMOK A-5 in real sea conditions. Achieving a safe installation and grid connection at BiMEP is a key step towards bringing wave energy closer to commercial reality,” said Borja de Miguel , Project Manager at IDOM.
This project is one of three wave energy projects in the final phase of the EuropeWave PCP program.
With MARMOK-A-5 installed and connected, IDOM starts the offshore commissioning program that will bring the device into full operational service. Over the coming weeks, the newly commissioned power take-off (PTO) system will be verified, with operations progressively ramped up.
The gathered data and experience will be used to demonstrate performance against EuropeWave’s agreed metrics and to inform the next stage of technology development.
The article was amended on May 14 at 11:45 a.m. to state additional information.